Thank you to all. I am glad you are enjoying this little diversion. I did want to clear up one little thing. There is a reason I spell Bennett with two t's at the end. I use that spelling when I have made big changes to characters or the story, really taking it out of canon. When I veer...I make that distinction for the ladies to protect the Bennet's innocence. It's a folly. Jane Austen's Bennet sisters would never do the things my Bennett sisters might do. This is M after all.
Chapter 3
Fitzwilliam Darcy always cut a dashing figure while dancing. He was powerful and gentle at the same time. He was proud but also very attentive to his partners which was one of the reasons he was in such demand by the Ton. Everyone wanted to stand before him and Elizabeth was no exception.
"They look rather well suited" Lady Lucas stared, admiring the young couple with matching black curls.
"Hmmm. So they do." Mrs. Bennett pondered then returned to her senses, "But were you not the one to tell me that he was destined to marry his cousin Anne de Bourg?"
"Yes. That is the news from Hunsford although Charlotte has expressed concern about Miss de Bourg's health. She is a very frail creature and likely not able to bear a child."
"But Charlotte is quite able, is she not?" Mrs. Bennett winked at Lady Lucas and they shared a maternal giggle.
Dancing with Mr. Darcy felt very natural to Elizabeth, surprisingly so. She had not expected him to be so good at anticipating her subtle gestures. Their eyes locked at exactly the same time in the music. They easily stressed the accents of the beat together, dipping and turning with precision. Their hearts beat together, they breathed together and when they touched, they tingled. Their set was not one either of them would forget.
"I hope we may have another opportunity to dance this season as I introduce my sister, Georgiana into society." Darcy took her hand and led her to where her next partner was waiting. Elizabeth said nothing in reply as she knew they were not likely to meet in London.
Seeing Dr. Berger in place for the next set, Darcy unconsciously scowled, bowed and took his leave, striding across the ballroom toward Miss Bingley and her sister.
"Are you in need of a drink, Miss Elizabeth?" Dr. Berger could tell from her flushed countenance and irregular breath that she was agitated.
"Yes, please. Let's refill our glasses and allow me to regain my composure." She winked at him and he smiled knowingly.
"To the future Mr. and Mrs...Charles Bingley!" Dr. Berger raised his voice and glass to the betrothed and he and Elizabeth walked out into the garden with their champagne. Mary had finally conceded the keyboard to Caroline and a most exquisitely performed Allemande wafted outside.
"Zo, my sneaky friend, tell me all about him." Dr. Berger loved to hear Elizabeth's news.
"Am I being obvious? That would be so dreadful." She put her hand to her cheek and took a gulp from her glass.
"I don't zink it is that. I just notice that the color of the light in the room changes when you two are together."
"I am so mortified. To be so easily seen through!"
Little did they know Mr. Darcy was sitting on the other side of the large fountain Elizabeth was perched upon. He knew her voice, and his, and he listened with every inch of his ability to hear beyond the splashing of water that drew a wall between them.
"You don't have to be ashamed, Eliza! Many people fall in love. You are not unique in zis."
"What is so shameful, Dr. Berger, is that there is absolutely no possible way he would ever be willing to make me an offer. I am not well connected, I am not well dowered, I do not even think I am particularly accomplished, or pretty. I am a nobody and he needs to marry well."
"Does he? Does he NEED to marry vell? From vat I know of Mr. Darcy, he could marry whomever he chooses. Come, let us dance. You will be in London soon. "
"Yes." Elizabeth conceded, "and who knows, I might meet an eligible clergyman who can take me off of my father's hands for a small sum."
"Or a handsome soldier?" Christoph wiggled his eyebrows.
"Or a tinker or a tailor..." their voices trailed off into the drawing room and Mr. Darcy headed quietly up to his room. He had to let her live the life she was born into. He would certainly not run into her in London, their conditions in life being so decidedly different.
Lying naked in his bed, late that night, after all of the guests had left and congratulations stopped, Darcy sighed. He had never felt so alone. Charles would be married soon and Georgiana to follow if all went well, and he would settle for an heiress he didn't love but might come to like a bit after a few years. Pain pierced his chest.
Elizabeth Bennett's face haunted him when he closed his eyes. The way they looked at each other in the woods, panting like wild things. Her indecipherable scent teasing him, coaxing him toward her.
His only consolation was that she had secretly confessed her attraction to him to Dr. Berger. That felt like a victory. He had won her regard. She wanted him, not the blond. He smirked and reached under the sheet to feel his manhood grow with pride, pulsing with pleasure as he stroked himself to oblivion. At last he hit his climax, groaned her name and fell into a deep sleep.
The next week was an onslaught of kindly neighbors visiting to offer congratulations and invitations to dinner parties. Everyone in the county seemed to be over the moon about the Miss Bennett marrying Mr. Bingley.
Except Elizabeth and Darcy. They were both poised to lose their best friends and confidents. They also were acutely aware of how being so closely connected to the couple would increase their meeting. It was something that made both of them intensely uncomfortable. As they were thrown together for various family related entertainments, Darcy and Elizabeth kept their distance, were polite but always eager to retreat into a corner.
Occasionally glances were exchanged and their hearts would beat against them. Self-mastery was practiced daily during those trying weeks.
Demands required Caroline Bingley to rise to the role of neighborhood hostess and she held up the best she could. Darcy couldn't help feeling sorry for her. She was gracious and obliging until she could no longer and then kept to her rooms with the excuse of a cold.
Louisa stayed by to help but Hurst hightailed it back to London faster than his hooves could carry him.
One morning Darcy made an announcement. "Bingley, I am leaving for London next week. Georgiana is desperate to begin her season and I can no longer hold her back. I was thinking I could take Caroline and Louisa into town with me to give them both a bit of a holiday. You know, to relax and recuperate before the wedding."
"That is a capital idea, Darcy!" His surprise turned to admiration and gratitude. "My nuptials have been taxing. So many dinners!"
"Then it is settled! We can leave on Wednesday next."
+++++++++++++ Extension of Chapter 3
Reflected Fate Extension of Ch. 3
"Lizzy! We should all go to London for the season, not just you! Mama?" Lydia was livid.
"Hush, girl! You know there is nothing for your sister here. She has to be given a good chance of making a match this season. Dr. Berger left to marry his cousin and you know how picky Elizabeth is about not marrying a soldier!"
"I'm not that picky!" Kitty said slyly.
"And that is why you two are staying right here. If you can't make conquests in Meryton this season, you can go to London together next. What say you?"
That kept the youngest Bennett sisters happy for the meantime and Elizabeth and Betsy were free to pack her trunks unfettered.
"I fear I cannot remake this gown again, Betsy. Look at how ragged it is becoming." Elizabeth held up her favorite dress.
"Oh dear, no, Miss. I think we will have to retake your measures and start from scratch."
"Indeed. I will head to Meryton this afternoon to see what fabrics are available."
"I will join you, sister." Said Mary, "I want to borrow another book from the lenders."
Mary and Elizabeth walked arm and arm to the village. When they arrived, their Aunt Phillips caught them on the street and invited them to tea. They, in turn, invited her to join them to choose fabric and Aunt Phillips splurged on some lovely lace, ribbons and upgraded buttons for Elizabeth's new gown. Nothing gave her more pleasure than having the chance to enhance her niece's coming out gown.
"Let's have my seamstress make your gown, Lizzy. She isn't nearly as busy as Betsy."
Elizabeth was enjoying the extra attention from her Aunt, who rarely recognized her. She enjoyed the fussing and tenderness the elderly lady eagerly bestowed. Aunt Phillips had no children of her own and had always looked at the girls as her own.
Eager to begin her book in peace, Mary headed home and Lizzy stayed the entire afternoon picking out patterns and being measured.
The Autumn sun was lowering on the horizon when Elizabeth started back to Longbourn. The air was chilled and she was feeling melancholy. How would it feel to be left behind without Jane? She raised her chin and quickened her pace to shake her sadness. She would rally.
She heard a carriage coming behind her and looked over her shoulder only to notice it had the Darcy crest. It pulled ahead of her and stopped. Mr. Darcy got out and walked slowly to her. Their eyes locked. He performed a curt bow then stared at her face forgetting what he was to ask.
She smiled at his absurdity, blushed and curtsied. "Mr. Darcy. I see you have come in all this state to see me."
"Miss Elizabeth," he glanced shyly at his boots, "Bingley and I were just on our way to Longbourn. Since it will be dark soon we would be honored if you would allow us to convey you."
"Certainly." She twinkled another smile that lit the street.
He took her hand gently and guided her into the carriage where he tucked her into her seat with a lap rug, enjoying the feeling of her curves.
"My aren't we a cozy bunch?" A few too many dinner drinks and Bingley was oblivious to Darcy's liberty. "Where have you been out so late?"
"My Aunt Phillips was kind enough to offer to make me a new dress for the season and we had much to do."
Darcy gave a short laugh, " I imagine it does not take that much effort to make you look presentable, Miss Elizabeth."
"Au contraire, Mon Amie!" She playfully countered, "To be seen in high society these days takes quite a bit of doing up. I am just lucky my Aunt enjoys spending her allowance on me. She has been so kind."
"Well I for one cannot wait to see how you get on. Jane has decided she would like to accompany you to Lord and Lady Highclere's ball to which your Uncle Gardiner was invited. I am eager to make our announcement public. "
Darcy started with surprise. Highclere, was the most sought after ball of the season. As he puzzled over how Jane and Elizabeth could have such connections, Elizabeth called his name.
"Mr. Darcy?"
He looked up and regained his composure.
"My cousin Colonel Fitzwilliam will be attending the Highclere ball with me and Georgiana. We will see you there."
"Ah, yes! Darcy, Colonel Fitzwilliam is a capital fellow. You will enjoy his company immensely, Lizzy. Such a gentleman. I do not know a woman in England who does not swoon when in his company."
Elizabeth noticed Darcy scowl at Bingley.
"I am sure the same can be said for Mr. Darcy." She raised her eyebrows playfully.
Darcy blushed and looked out the window.
"Oh yes! Darcy has been the belle of the ball for at least three seasons now, is that right? This year I have it on good authority that the Duchess of Devonshire has her eye on Darcy for her daughter, Avaline, who is just coming out. Is she a friend of Georgiana's? She must be not quite fifteen."
Darcy pretended not to hear and they turned onto the Longbourn lane. Elizabeth's heart sank.
Once in the sitting room, Elizabeth shared her swatches, ribbons and lace with her mother and sisters so Jane and Bingley could sit together unattended. Darcy and her father sat in armchairs reading the news and playing a game of chess.
Elizabeth smiled at how alike they were. Each with their unsociable, taciturn natures.
"Mr. Darcy, I hear you will be leaving for London tomorrow with Charles' sisters." Mrs. Bennett got her news on good authority.
"Why, yes. My sister is eager to be taking in the excitement of London at his time of year and Miss Bingley and Mrs. Hurst are also anxious to join her."
"Elizabeth will also be in town with Jane next week. They will be staying with my brother and helping their Aunt. In exchange, my brother has agreed to chaperone her to some of the events."
"I am very interested in hearing the lectures at the Astronomy club and spending time at the booksellers."
"Lizzy! Silly girl! You are there to meet eligible young men. Do NOT waste your time."
Horrified, Elizabeth threw her ribbons on the table and stormed out of front door into the dark side garden to sit on the bench and fume.
Jane ran after her with a shawl and bonnet. The autumn was settling in and she did not want her favorite sister to risk catching a cold just as she was on the verge of a conquest. Jane could tell Elizabeth's heart was settled and her observation of Darcy gave her cause to hope.
Mr. Bingley and Mr. Darcy said their goodbyes and got their things to leave.
"I do hope to have the pleasure of dancing with the Miss Bennett's while I am in London." and with that Mr. Darcy bowed over Mrs. Bennett's hand and took his leave.
As Jane and Bingley were cooing their goodbyes by the carriage, Darcy sought Miss Elizabeth in the side yard. She was standing with her back to him but she could hear his steps on the gravel.
"Miss Elizabeth?"
She wiped her eyes and turned to him, "Yes, Mr. Darcy."
"I, I ..." he cleared his throat and continued "I wish things could be different." There. He said it.
He approached her tentatively, took her bare hand in his and stroked her small, slender fingers. The breath from her lips was coming fast and crystalizing. He pressed her hand against his cheek where she could feel the wetness from a tear, then he kissed the inside of her palm tasting his own salt with hers.
Once in the carriage Bingley did not waste a moment.
"Not a wise move, Darce. You know your family will not allow a match to a family like the Bennett's."
"I think I may have to offer for my cousin, Anne. " Darcy covered his face with his now, gloved fingers and rubbed his aching temple. "I plan to get quite inebriated this evening, Bingley. Will you join me in your library?"
"Yes. If only to keep an eye on you, Old Boy."